Zoom Video Conferencing

What’s Zoom?

Zoom is one of the most popular videoconferencing apps in the world today. Millions of people all over the world use the the Zoom app for business meetings, personal online gatherings, and zoom magician celebrations.

Here’s what you need to know about Zoom's video conferencing network.

How Zoom Meetings Work

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Popular video conferencing program Zoom Meetings has risen to popularity in recent months, with the widespread move to remote working.
Since the emergence of the pandemic, Netflix and Uber Eats aren't the only companies who've noticed a dramatic increase in popularity. These days, the Zoom conference has been blasting our screens in virtually everyone's home it seems—from work meetings to social distance approved gatherings via video chat.
Memes and clips depicting zoom conference fails and comical (and often, true) statements about Zoom are rampant on social media. For many, Zoom is used daily and it has rapidly become a household name.
It is generally used for organizations to organize meetings with distant or foreign peers and customers-the standard version of Zoom conference is also fully free of charge.

Video Conference Zoom

People are using video communications as a solution to start bridging the social distancing gap. Zoom video communications are here to stay—at least for the foreseeable future. The Zoom platform is designed to be super easy to use and navigate. Here, we'll discuss how a Zoom conference works, the special features and functions, any costs associated with using the Zoom meeting platform, and compare Zoom vs. Skype for Business to help choose a product that works for every video chat need.

 
 

What Is Zoom Chat?

Zoom Video Chat

For its ease of use, high quality HD video and audio, and communication facilities such as text messaging, virtual background, and screen sharing, Zoom video communications is praised when compared to other video conferencing tools. Without logging into the app, attendees can even hold a Zoom meeting, but must sign up with an account to host a video call.

Zoom meetings with up to 1,000 people, call logging, unrestricted phone calls and more are provided by paid editions.

With the current pandemic driving all of us indoors, the latest way to stay in contact with friends and relatives has now been Zoom video conferencing—a lucky few have also performed their weddings over Zoom.

 
 

Zoom Conversation

Zoom was founded by a former VP of Cisco Webex. Zoom has been around since 2013 when the product was released. Since that time, Zoom has rivaled other video communications platforms and the likes of, Ringcentral, Microsoft Teams, Webex, GotoMeeting, and AnyMeeting video conferencing. However, in 2020 Zoom, at the start of the pandemic and quickly became one of the most popular ways to stay in touch.
 

Zoom People

 
 

On all major desktop and smartphone operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, the Zoom app is available.

Zoom Video Call

Zoom Me

Zoom is not new, but many of us are pretty new to it. Let's explore how to use Zoom video communications. This video conferencing platform is very user friendly. It's easy to start or create a meeting for colleagues or family and friends and even easier to join a meeting.

Zoom is reconnecting people one meeting at a time. Let's look at this new video communications phenomenon a little closer.

People can schedule and attend an online meeting or host a webinar with people from across the world. Groups of friends or clients can plan a long-distance zoom party or stream games like Jack Box through Twitch and/or Discord and watch their teammates' reactions via Zoom. A newly dating couple who is quarantining apart can use screen sharing to watch Netflix or Amazon Video app together, but safely. Families currently separated by distance can connect and spend time with each other in a meaningful way.

Despite the difficulties presented by Covid-19, Zoom is helping us all get through it, one Zoom invite at a time.

Video Conference Zoom

To start using Zoom app in a conference, visit zoom and create a new account or access Zoom app through a one-time sign in with Google or Facebook. Signing up for a Zoom account is easy. All that's needed is basic personal information and email verification and you're ready to start scheduling or participating in Zoom meetings, to your heart’s desire.

 
 
Free Zoom app allows up to 100 participants with video conferencing, providing the meeting lasts for no more than 40 minutes, at which point participants are expelled from the session. However, if you don't mind the ringcentral trouble of dialing back in, the host can only launch another call.
 
 

Zoom Video Call

Unlimited one-on-one sessions, screen sharing, video chat apps, interactive landscapes, whiteboard, and more are also sponsored on NASDAQ.

Meanwhile, the premium version essentially reduces meeting time limitations for community video conferences (pushing the 24-hour cap on zoom rooms) and also encourages the host to film cloud or on-device media meetings and arrange repeat meetings.
 
 
zoom finance

When billed monthly finance, the most simple premium edition pays $149.90 a year, or $14.99 a month, which is a bit more pricey in the long term compared with Cisco Webex.

Additional add-ons such as webinar services, finance, zooms large meetings (up to 1000 participants zoom rooms), and additional cloud recording resources are not protected by listed costs, which would bump up the price.

The basic version of Zoom is free to use—no credit card information required. The standard free option offers meetings for up to 100 people at once; a 40-minute time limit for group meetings; and 1 on one Zooms are unlimited.

People who choose this option will also be able to use Zoom features such as, fun virtual background images to hide clutter or typical household background distractions, as referenced by PCMag.

Another 1 in feature, available on basic Zoom is the ability to customize email templates for webinars. We'll delve into some of the special functionalities and features in a moment.

While the taboola functionality of a basic plan may be a perfect fit for a small company or personal use—the limitations mentioned above often don't align with the needs of a larger company that focuses on frequent or lengthy meetings or added functionality. In these cases, it might be a good idea to explore the premium options that Zoom offers.

 
 
 
zoom-meeting.png
 

The Premium Pro version is ideal for small teams at $149.90 a year or $14.99 per month.

This option features hosting for up to 100 participants, social media streaming, and 1 full GB Cloud Recording for each license with a limit of 9 licenses per account (therefore, a max of 9 GB of recording memory). According to business insider, this Pro version and all other paid versions also allow hosts to schedule repeat meetings easily.

The Premium Business plan is perfect for small or medium businesses with a yearly finance rate/license at $199.90. This choice allows hosting up to 300 participants; single sign-on; cloud recording transcripts; company branding; managed domains; and the finance option to purchase 10 licenses for $1,999 for a year.

The Premium Enterprise option can handle large enterprises easily. The costs for this plan is $199.90 per year and hosts can invite up to 500 participants (or up to 1000 with an Enterprise+ Plan). Additionally, this plan offers chat transcription and a Personal Customer Success Manager.

With so many options—Zoom makes it easy to find a plan that works best for everyone's individual or business needs on screen.
 
 

Features of Zoom—The Fun Stuff

 
 

There are a ton of great features across all Zoom plans—yes, even the FREE basic plan. Unlike Cisco Webex, as mentioned above, The virtual background option offered by Zoom is always a crowd favorite. Attendees can use Zoom's pre-loaded backgrounds, which are fun or download any image they choose or Zoom-ready background to spice up their Chinese namespaces meetings and put some personality into social gatherings in the car.

Direct messaging privacy or messaging news to the entire group is also available. Those in attendance can also display their "reactions" for a few seconds, including the laughing/crying emoji—a personal favorite. Additionally, Zoom is compatible with the Apple watch 5G which offers incredible flexibility and convenience wherever people are or whatever they're doing—even on the go. The Zoom app offers plenty of flexibility for travel or whenever mobility is important.

One exciting feature is that Zoom is compatible with Amazon Alexa aka the echo dot. Zoom Rooms are another exciting and customizable option. Users with Linkedin can create 4 different types of Zoom rooms depending on the functionality needed for the meeting.

Another great function of Zoom is access to file-sharing. While it may be limited when compared to other options such as, Skype in terms of file size that can be shared—sharing files via Zoom is an excellent and easy way to share files with your clients during Zoom meetings. The Zoom in meeting sharing allows participants to share files during the call, spotlight two attendees simultaneously, and position participants screens, making it better than Ringcentral or Cisco Webex.

NPR asks Yahoo News - Is Zoom Banned?

In a recent article from ZDNet (a leader in technology news)—Zoom executives are stating that while Zoom was built with company meetings in mind rather than personal interactions—personal chats are now, it's the primary use. Because of this, Zoom video communications have been discovered that they may not be entirely secure and end encrypted.

According to the taboola article, Zoom company execs are interested in working closely with the FBI and for this reason, Zoom meetings may not be as private as one might think. Zoom now offers (allegedly) fully encrypted service for a price, however, due to privacy concerns many huge names in the tech field, such as Elon Musk's space exploration company—Space X are banning the use of Zoom for their companies.

For these same privacy concerns and security reasons, many schools and education departments are banning the use of this communication tool, as well.

With the increase in the use of Zoom—hackers are finding ways to amuse themselves and therefore, causing security concerns by a practice referred to as "video bombing". The definition of this is when unsuspecting meeting participants are interrupted by one or more literal, uninvited guests.

It's a simple practice, accomplished by taking a previous invite and modifying the numbers a little, to join another non-secured meeting. And according to Zoom executives—they are working "around the clock" to make the Zoom experience a positive and secure one.

However, companies like Space X and many educational organizations are still taking a hard pass at using Zoom video communications.

Which Video Conferencing is Better—Zoom, Cisco Webex, Ringcentral, or Skype for Business?

Both video conferencing options offer great solutions to most business needs. However, let's explore which is a better fit for your finance needs.

According to CNBC, there can be additional costs associated with both privacy options.

To use maximum functionality with Skype—businesses will need to purchase Microsoft 365 Suite, which is a popular option including Outlook Email, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (to name a few) and may very well be worth it to your business if these options are not already available.

To maximize security with Zoom, as discussed earlier—users will need to pay a premium rate to get an enhanced sense of security.

If a linkedin virtual team wants to take a more holistic heavy email approach—Skype might be the way to go. However, if a finance company or virtual team on screen is focused more on face-to-face meetings and video chats—Zoom is a top pick to use.

Fox Mobile or Laptop Zoom Encrypted?

It is worth noting that, according to business insider, the Chinese Zoom experience can vary depending on their needs and whether people are using mobile Zoom or the laptop/desktop version. Let's explore the options and the best way to use Zoom.

Stating the obvious news, the screen size is considerably smaller if using a phone as opposed to a laptop or computer. This can be acceptable (and handy) if the meeting will be just a small number of attendees and/or one or more attendees need to be mobile or on-the-go.

But using Zoom on the phone can be limiting because chats will be more compact, potentially making it difficult to view, communicate, and share information.

Additionally, it's also worth noting that the Zoom models of iOS and Android vary significantly (e.g. the Zoom app for Android is not compatible with everyone's favorite feature of virtual backgrounds—sorry Android fans).

An additional drawback is that the app version has limited capabilities when compared to the laptop edition.

Zoom phone for iOS and Android provides stripped down and less intuitive iterations of chat and screen sharing services, in addition to the most noticeable downside of handheld video conferencing—the relatively small screen.

The smartphone interface also requires only four users to appear on the screen at once (as opposed to a maximum of 49 people on the web in gallery mode) and the small size may make it impossible to present detailed diagrams and papers.

In conclusion, Zoom video communications for the laptop is the perfect finance option for large-scale zoom meetings with peers or calls with several friends or clients. While the app version may have limited functionality, it's still a great way to connect with friends or co-workers, especially one-on-one.

People are needing to get increasingly more creative to find ways to connect with one another via video chat and to manage business needs in a new and different world. Zoom seems to be the clear and present solution. For now.